Nehemiah was in Persia, living in the palace, press secretary to the king and doing quite well for himself, yet when he heard that his brethren from the homeland were in great affliction and reproach, he was quite moved and devastated. He found it intolerable that the walls were broken down and the gates burned with fire and the people in distress (Neh.1: 3). As he relayed this predicament to the king, he intently queried “…Why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof burned with fire?” (Neh. 2: 3). It is noteworthy that he was in the palace, but his heart was with his people. He was deeply concerned as evidenced by the whole book of Nehemiah.  

           I find it interesting that some people can live and forget. When they get to a certain place and station in life, they conveniently forget from where they are coming. They seek to disassociate themselves from any connections from their homeland and their origins. Not so with this politician/builder, Nehemiah! The Word informs us that when he heard the sad news about his brethren, that he sat down, wept, mourned, fasted, and prayed for certain days. In fact, he prayed night and day for days until he felt a breakthrough and was led to bring about change.  

            The question is when last were we so grieved and moved about a situation that not only did we pray but also fasted, until there was a shift and real breakthrough came. I found the progression of events in verse 4, very revealing. It states, “And It came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept and mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven” (Neh.1: 4). Concern for God’s house and for his brethren now preoccupied his mind and took precedence over every other matter on his palatial agenda. Even if Nehemiah had forgotten for a while, he could no longer ignore the fact, he was placed in a position of authority and influence to help make a change in the plight of his less fortunate brothers and sisters left behind. It was not enough only to convey sympathy for his brethren. It was now time to get up and graciously act on their behalf.  

            In his heart of hearts, Nehemiah knew there was nothing he could immediately do, but he knew a God who knew – The God of heaven (Neh.1: 4). Today we must admit that we are often overwhelmed by the news that we receive on every hand and side, concerning the plight of the brethren and our loved ones all around, but thanks be to God, we know the same God that Nehemiah knew, and we are challenged to get up and do something.  

            Note with me, that Nehemiah did not know what God would have him to do, or how God would work it out, but He prayed. Many times, when we pray, we never know what the outcome of our prayers may be but pray anyhow. Sometimes the answer to the problem is you yourself. God takes and makes you the answer to the problem. Therefore, I say, do not pray until you are willing to be used by God to help solve the problem. The key to your church and that situation being turned around is YOU! 

Leroy V. Greenaway

Presiding Bishop – Northeast Region 

September 10th, 2022